Amber gently shut the side gate and strolled along the well-trodden dirt path that meandered around the edges of the almost deserted village. As she passed the homes lining the perimeter, she noticed a girl perched on the porch of a small hut. Dressed in tattered, filthy rags, the outline of her bones was starkly visible beneath her skin. The girl occasionally looked up from her play, where she was engrossed in the company of a corn husk doll.
The girl's hair color and skin tone were obscured by layers of dirt, making it hard to discern her true appearance. Yet, her striking deep blue eyes shone with a profound sadness, as if she had lost all hope; they were undeniably beautiful.
Amber paused before the young girl. "Tell me, are you truly happy with the way things are? Does this life bring you the fulfillment you seek?"
The young girl gazed up at Amber, her eyes growing wide with surprise. She parted her lips to say something, yet no sound emerged.
"Are you unable to speak?" Amber inquired.
The girl gazed at her doll, a rosy hue gradually spreading across her cheeks. She nervously toyed with its edges.
"That works well enough for me, especially since you clearly grasp speech quite effectively. I recommend that you join me."
The young girl looked up again, locking eyes with Amber before turning to sneak a look at the little hut behind her.
"Are your parents inside?"
The young girl hesitated for a moment, weighing her response, but eventually, she gave a slight nod. "Do you realize that your time is running out? In just a few months, starvation will claim you. You'll be gone before the first snowfall, making it easier for your parents to lay you to rest, as the earth will still be soft."
Amber observed the finger-shaped bruises encircling the girl's neck. "If fortune smiles upon you, you might find a quicker end. Maybe you'll suffocate?" Her voice was eerily casual, as though she were merely discussing the day's forecast.
"The agony of starving to death is said to be excruciating, as the body begins to consume its own tissues in a desperate attempt to survive. The relentless ache of hunger penetrates deep into your bones, making restful sleep nearly unattainable. As your bodily functions gradually cease in a futile bid to conserve energy, the suffering intensifies. I can only imagine that you have a profound understanding of this kind of torment."
The girl's complexion drained of color, and she nervously bit her trembling lower lip, her eyes glistening with the imminent threat of tears.
"A parent's primary responsibility is to nurture, safeguard, and support their child." Amber's gaze fell upon the layers of dirt covering the girl, revealing her frail frame. Bruises marred her legs and arms, and distinct fingerprints marked both sides of her neck.
"Clearly your parents should be fired. I do not know how to talk to a child, I suppose this is probably my version of kindness, but life isn't kind to those who don't fight for themselves."
The girl's lower lip trembled slightly, but then she tightened her jaw, locked eyes with Amber, and nodded affirmatively once more.
"To be perfectly straightforward, I am not extending an offer of love. I have never experienced it, nor do I possess the ability to provide it. There was a moment in my life when I desired it, but that is no longer the case. Love feels like an unnecessary complication and a vulnerability I refuse to embrace. I am not seeking your affection, nor will I take on a parental role. I will not make things easy for you."
"If you choose not to contribute, you will find yourself without sustenance. I refuse to support those who do not pull their weight. In return for your efforts, I will provide you with a safe haven, nourishment, and the opportunity to become stronger than you ever thought possible. As long as you follow my guidance, you will never face punishment, and I will reward your loyalty. You will be under my protection, and I will ensure that you are treated fairly. Join me as my ally, or remain here and face the harsh reality of hunger before the year concludes; the decision is yours."
As Amber made her way down the trail leading to Shadow Forest, she noticed the little girl rising unsteadily to her feet, her eyes filled with determination. Without a word, the girl began to follow Amber, leaving her doll behind.
Amber could hear the soft patter of the girl's tiny feet on the ground as she trailed behind. Turning to check on her, Amber saw the girl struggling to keep pace, prompting her to slow down and walk alongside her. "Great job," Amber encouraged, gently ruffling the girl's hair. "From now on, your name will be Nova. It signifies a fresh start, and I believe it fits you perfectly. How do you feel about that?"
The girl gazed up at Amber, who had her hand resting on her head, beaming with joy and nodding enthusiastically. Amber lifted her hand and resumed walking, but soon she felt Nova's small fingers entwine with hers. Taken aback by the unexpected touch, Amber instinctively pulled her hand away. Moments later, she sensed a gentle tug on her cloak. Looking down, she met Nova's determined gaze, her large dark blue eyes sparkling as her tiny fingers clutched Amber's cloak tightly. With a resigned sigh, Amber decided not to shake off the girl's grip this time, and together they continued along the path toward the Shadow Forest.
The village was nestled just on the edge of a vast forest. Despite its potential for thriving trade and commerce, the community struggled with only a handful of legitimate businesses. The Baron's excessive taxes drained their resources, leaving them unable to support his extravagant gambling habits. As a result, the area right before the ominous Shadow Forest became the village's main attraction, even though most villagers dared not step inside.
The Shadow Forest was notorious for its perilous inhabitants, including the mischievous mafau and elusive shadow pixies. These tiny, three-inch fairies, with their grayish hue and large, silver, alien-like eyes, possessed the uncanny ability to manipulate shadows, shaping them at will. They delighted in playing tricks on unsuspecting travelers, leading them astray in the dark, twisting woods.
To prevent the dangers lurking in the forest from encroaching on the village, the former Baron of Rafferty Village had strategically placed large enchanted white pots, spaced forty feet apart, along the boundary between the forest and the village. These pots were filled with an everlasting pink and white fire that emitted a delightful fragrance, effectively warding off most mafau—also known as mana-fauna, magical creatures, or spirit beasts. However, one type of mafau, the fire pixies, were drawn to the flames, reveling in their dance and feasting on the fire itself.
In the expansive clearing ahead of Amber and Nova, market booths sprang up during the day, but by nightfall, the atmosphere shifted to one where less-than-legal goods were available for purchase. The villagers felt no fear of the Baron descending from his estate to intervene, as he harbored a deep-seated fear of the creatures dwelling within the forest. It was a well-guarded secret that he had once lost his way in the Shadow Forest for nearly two weeks during his youth, a harrowing experience that left him reluctant to return. Given her father's unpopularity in the village, it was wise for her to remain inconspicuous.
Travelers flocked to the Shadow Forest, where an array of merchandise was on display. The scene was alive with people drifting between the numerous booths. A significant portion of the crowd seemed to be wealthy elites, typically surrounded by a group of menacing bodyguards who were clearly there to ensure their safety.
The empire of Verglas lay to the north of the Mavire kingdom, divided by a vast river on the same continent. Its inhabitants were predominantly yuki-onna, a unique race distinct from humans. From birth, they possessed the innate ability to manipulate ice, water, and snow magic. While some yuki-onna exhibited exceptional magical talent, others discovered additional magical abilities that emerged after reaching puberty. Among them was a yuki-onna who, despite her heritage, found herself unable to harness any magic due to blocked mana pathways. Although many viewed the yuki-onna with fear, they were not the vengeful spirits born from a human woman's regrets in the snow; rather, they were simply a different kind of people.
Much of their enjoyment came from taming the mafau, enhancing their own mana levels, and training these magical creatures. Mafau, being mana-fauna, were enchanting animals that added a unique twist to their adventures. Among the various magical abilities, fire manipulation was particularly sought after, but one had to make do with what they were given.
During the magic games, participants were allowed to summon one support mafau for each round. This is precisely why the Shadow Forest was always bustling with activity. It served as a fantastic training ground for newcomers eager to develop their skills and bond with mafau. Nevertheless, it remained a perilous area, having claimed the lives of many who ventured too far.
As Nova and Amber strolled past the stalls and approached the forest, an unsettling aura enveloped them. The shadows cast by the tree leaves flickered in peculiar patterns, stretching and twisting as if yearning to break free. Meanwhile, the pink and white flames in the pots morphed into the silhouettes of various creatures, animated by the playful flame pixies that flitted about. Their laughter chimed like delicate bells, creating a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. Yet, it was a reminder that these pixies could turn fierce if provoked.
Flame pixies resembled tiny fairies, about three inches tall, with soft hues of pink, orange, or blue skin. Their large golden eyes sparkled with mischief, and their long, fiery hair mirrored their skin tones but in deeper shades. Their wings, reminiscent of bat wings, matched their vibrant skin, while their attire seemed to be woven from flames themselves. Despite their evident joy, there was a hint of something sinister in their smiles. Amber found herself captivated, mesmerized by the enchanting dance of the pixies within the flickering flames.